Winterhaven, with over 500 residents in California's low desert, is the southeastern most community in California.  Located near the Arizona border at Yuma, and enjoying the Colorado River along the town's eastern border assures a source of water in this arid Sonoran desert region.  Quechan Indian reservation lands occupy a portion of the town.

Aptly named as a winter haven for snowbirds seeking to escape the midwest and eastern winter freeze, many flock with their RVs to spend the winter in Southern California's desert area, considered one of the sunniest, warm places to be in the months of October through April.

Located in Imperial County not far from El Centro, the town of Winterhaven's majority population is Hispanic, with close to 50% earning incomes that qualify for poverty level.